Agreement on unemployment benefits won’t help 99ers

December 7, 2010 - 12:23 pm

CARSON CITY — The 26,893 Nevadans who have exhausted all state and federal unemployment benefits wouldn’t be getting any additional assistance through the agreement between President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress to extend benefits for another 13 months.

Cindy Jones, the state Employment Security Division administrator, said Tuesday that major media outlets across the country have incorrectly reported that benefits for everyone, including those who have exhausted their benefits, would be extended by the deal. She said the agreement does not add a new tier 5 of benefits for people who have received unemployment benefits for the maximum 99 weeks.

"The 99ers won’t receive anything more," Jones said. The agreement does make sure people who have not reached the 99-week maximum can continue to receive their checks until they reach that total, she said.

For example, someone who has received benefits for 56 weeks would continue to be paid benefits for 43 more weeks.

The agreement on unemployment benefits was part of the deal to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for everyone for two more years.

Brede said a bill sought by Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and others would have extended benefits for those who had exhausted all benefits, but that was not part of the "framework the president reached with Republicans."

That framework has not been introduced yet as a bill.

"Senator Reid said we have some work yet to do on it," said Brede, who emphasized that Reid has not decided whether he wants to try to extend benefits past 99 weeks.

Berkley did not sound hopeful about the agreement being expanded to extend benefits to those who have received them for 99 weeks. "This is a problem, there is no doubt about it," she said. "But if I am able to extend unemployment benefits another year for a vast majority of people in my district that are unemployed, I will take that and will live to fight another day and I certainly will."

Unemployed people can receive as much as 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits. If they exhaust those benefits, they can receive a 20-week state benefit extension that is paid entirely by the federal government.

On top of these 46 weeks of benefits, the federal government has been providing various extensions, or tiers, of benefits that total 53 weeks.

Students at Tate Elementary in Las Vegas has benefited from a program to boost education funding in targeted student populations, known as categorical funding. One program called Zoom helps students who have fallen below grade level in reading. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Three Square helps TSA workers

Three Square Food Bank donated over 400 care bags to TSA workers affected by the government shutdown Wednesday, filled with food, personal hygiene products and water.

Las Vegas furniture store donates to Clark County firehouses

Walker Furniture donated new mattresses to all 30 Clark County firehouses in the Las Vegas Valley, starting today with Station 22. (Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Six hours after the fact, Las Vegas homicide detectives worked to reconstruct the scene of a shooting early Jan. 7 that left one man dead in the southeast valley. (Rio Lacanlale/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Dyer Lawrence explains college football playoff system proposal

Las Vegan Dyer Lawrence has a new idea for a college football playoff system that includes a unique scheduling component called National Call Out Day. (Ron Kantowski/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Death row inmate Scott Dozier found dead in his cell

Nevada death row inmate Scott Dozier is dead. Dozier’s death ends his legal odyssey, which began in 2007 when he was convicted in the 2002 murder of Jeremiah Miller, but does little to clarify what’s next for Nevada’s death penalty.

Visitors staying at the Furnace Creek Campground were forced to move from the campground following health and safety concerns due to lack of resources during the partial government shutdown at Death Valley National Park in Calif., on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Half of homicides in Henderson for 2018 domestic violence related

Lt. Kirk Moore of the public information office of the city of Henderson police department speaks to the Review-Journal in Henderson, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. Henderson saw a slight increase in homicides in the past year. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Governor-elect Steve Sisolak stops by Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club

Governor-elect Steve Sisolak kicks off his tour to Carson City, which will take him from Las Vegas, through Tonopah, and up to the capital city. First stop is the Downtown Boys & Girls Club.

Certificates for renewing wedding vows in Clark County

The Marriage License Bureau in Clark County began issuing a Certificate of Vow Renewal to married couples who are renewing their wedding vows on Jan. 3, 2019. (Shea Johnson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas flu season better than last year (so far)

Dr. Fermin Leguen, chief medical officer and director of clinical services at the Southern Nevada Health District, said there were 24 flu-related deaths at this point in the flu season. No deaths have been reported so far this year. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

The Las Vegas Valley’s First Baby of 2019

The first 2019 baby in the Las Vegas Valley was Melialani Chihiro Manning, born at 12:10 a.m. at Henderson Hospital. (Briana Erickson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas NYE Fireworks - VIDEO

The full show: A spectacular view from the rooftop of the Trump International Hotel as 80,000 pyrotechnics illuminated the Las Vegas Strip at the stroke of midnight. Fireworks by Grucci choreographed launches from the Stratosphere, the Venetian, Treasure Island, Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Aria and MGM Grand.

Snow in Henderson on New Year's Eve morning

Light snow flurries in Anthem Highlands in Henderson on Monday morning, the last day of 2018.

Sources: Henderson Constable may face more charges

Henderson Constable Earl Mitchell may face additional charges ... stemming from his spending of county funds, sources said. Mitchell was indicted earlier this month on five felony theft and fraud charges ... after a Las Vegas Review-Journal story questioned his spending. But grand jury records show even more extensive spending including ... an $800 dinner at steakhouse ... nearly 200 atm withdrawals mostly at gambling establishments ... and even Disneyland tickets. But his attorney plans to ask a judge to dismiss the charges.

Las Vegas NYE Restrictions and Enhanced Security

If you are planning to celebrate New Year's Eve on the Las Vegas Strip or Fremont Street, be aware that you are not allowed to bring backpacks, coolers, strollers or glass. There will also be an increase in security to ensure safe celebrations across town.

Bob and Sandy Ellis of Henderson, who donate to several Clark County School District schools, have added Matt Kelly Elementary in Las Vegas to their list of schools where every student gets new shoes, socks and a toy. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jeffrey Martin Added To Nevada's Black Book

Martin was one of four men convicted of theft and cheating at gambling in 2016 in Clark County District Court and sentenced to prison. The Nevada Gaming Commission voted unanimously Thursday to include Martin in the black book.

Raiders Stadium Timelapse

Construction on the new Raiders stadium continues in Las Vegas.

Buffalo Wild Wings security video

Security footage from a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in southwest Las Vegas captured a driver who repeatedly crashed into a vehicle in a failed attempt to squeeze into a tight parking spot.

The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village

Opportunity Village's Magical Forest added 1 million lights and a synchronized music show visible from all over the forest this year. The holiday attraction, which began in 1991, has a train, rides, food and entertainment along with the light displays. (Heidi Knapp Rinella/Las Vegas Review-Journal)